Electric Motor and a Honda 2000 Generator?

[smac999]

Originally Posted by rwidman

In case I wasn't clear in my previous post, burning gasoline to produce electricity to run an electric motor is not as efficient as burning gasoline to drive the boat directly.

It doesn't matter where you are doing it.

it depends on speed and load. what you described is a hybrid (just like hybrid cars) and they can certainty be more efficient. but only with storage capibility.

the gen is always running at the most efficent rpm / load to charge batteries, and then shuts off when not needed. vs an engine at various loads and various running efficiencies

[SV DestinyAscen]

The problem with hybrid car comparisons is sailboats rarely drive up a hill and brake down a hill or for stoplights.

Most engines already have an optimal efficiency rpm and if the engine is paired correctly to the hull, hull speed and optimal efficiency should overlap in most conditions.

Most boat hybrid systems simply can't achieve hull speed at optimal efficiency of the generator/electric motor. Even at optimal claims the combustion to kinetic to electric to battery potential and kinetic just doesn't add up.

Hybrid cars are efficient beausee they basically avoid wasting converting kineticto heat

[valhalla360]

Originally Posted by SV DestinyAscen

The problem with hybrid car comparisons is sailboats rarely drive up a hill and brake down a hill or for stoplights.

Most engines already have an optimal efficiency rpm and if the engine is paired correctly to the hull, hull speed and optimal efficiency should overlap in most conditions.

Most boat hybrid systems simply can't achieve hull speed at optimal efficiency of the generator/electric motor. Even at optimal claims the combustion to kinetic to electric to battery potential and kinetic just doesn't add up.

Hybrid cars are efficient beausee they basically avoid wasting converting kineticto heat

Bingo, most cruisers get the boat up to speed and leave it at the same setting for hours. This conveniently matches pretty close to the ideal loading on the diesel engine.